Blue Devil wrestlers defeat Essex, 54-30

The Mathews High School wrestling team went 1-1 in last Wednesday’s tri-meet, defeating Essex, 54-30, in the first Region A match of the season, and falling to AA opponent Grafton, 46-32. On Saturday, Mathews finished eighth in the ReMax Ram Cup at Lafayette High School.

In last Wednesday’s tri-meet, Brian Hostetter (106 lbs.) lost to Essex, but earned his first win, pinning his Grafton foe in 3:12. Jon Oliver (120 lbs.) also got his first win, with a pin over an Essex wrestler in 2:33. Caleb Miller (126 lbs.) went 2-0 on the day, scoring a 10-0 major decision against Grafton and accepting a forfeit from Essex.

At 132 lbs., Sam Moore pinned his Essex opponent in 1:37, but lost a 9-0 decision to Grafton. Harrison Cullison (138 lbs.) got a forfeit against Essex. Parker Thompson got an11-2 major decision win at 138 lbs. against Grafton, moving up in weight class to accept a forfeit against Essex. Tyler Zable (145 lbs.) lost to Grafton in a third-period pin; he then moved up in class to 152 lbs., losing a bout to Essex.

Ronald Rife also went 0-2, losing at 152 lbs. to Grafton and 160 lbs. to Essex. Billy Bower (170 lbs.) pinned his Essex opponent in 13 seconds and the Grafton foe in :57. A.J. White (182 lbs.) won a pin over Grafton and lost by a pin to Essex. Joey Scales (195 lbs.) accepted a forfeit from Essex, losing to Grafton.

Austin Fravel (220 lbs.) pinned his Grafton opponent and accepted a forfeit from Essex. Bill Riley (285 lbs.) scored a pin over Essex and lost by pin to Grafton.